Box wrapping system



Se t. 7, 1937. J. s. STOKES BOX WRAPPING SYSTEM Filed April 18, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Se t. 7, 1937. J. 5. STOKES BOX WRAPPING SYSTEM Filed April 18, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 :(Efi k ATTORNEY.

P 7- J. s. STOKES BOX WRAPPING SYSTEM Filed April 18, 1935 l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 1 a .H m \imsz EE BS M NU MH E I ll-:lu: l 2.. vllllllllllll' 'lll Sept. 7, 1937.' J. 5. STOKES BOX WRAPPING SYSTEM Filed April 18, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. M. 11% M Q4. 63%;

ATTORNEY.

Se t. 7, 1937. J. 5. STOKES BOX WRAPPING SYSTEM Filed April 18, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 I ll INVENz TOR.

ATTORNEY.

Sept. 7, 1937. J. s. STOKES BOX WRAPPING- SYSTEM Filed April 18, .1935

10 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

20L 1!. flflw BY M 24-8923;

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ATTORNEY.

Se t. 7, 1937. J. s. STOKES BOX WRAPPING SYSTEM Filed April 18, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 l1 m 0 m %J L w 0 a m a. l a W ililfl.|ll.- ll m Iv. m I, n V L o BY wisam ATTORNEY.

Sept. 7, 1937.

J. s. sr'oKEs BOX WRAPPING SYSTEM Filed April 18, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet'8 I INVENTOR.

9% .QZZL. BY 15/ M ATTORNEY.

p 1937. J. s. sToKEs BOX WRAPPING SYSTEM Filed April 18, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 l I I 'lllli' INVENTOR TTORNEY.

p 7, 37- J. s. STOKES 2,092,479

' BOX WRAPPING SYSTEM Filed April 18; 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 7, 1937 ATENT orrlcs BOX WRAPPING SYSTEM John S. Stokes, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., assignor to Stokes and Smith Company, Philadelphia, 9a., a corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application April 18,

38 Claims.

My invention relates to systems and apparatus for making boxes, box covers, containers and the like, generically termed boxes.

In accordance with my invention, coated wrap- 5 pers, labels, sheets, or the like, generically termed wrappers, are conveyed to a registry table or equivalent, in front of an operator who registers box structures thereon to form assemblies which are removed from the registry table and placed 10 upon the form block of a wrapping machine;

preferably, mechanism is provided to tilt the table after delivery of a wrapper thereto to facilitate the register by the operator of a box or box blank thereon.

Further in accordance with my invention the registry of a box upon the wrapper initiates operation of mechanism which moves a panel of the wrapper into adhesive engagement with the corresponding wall of the box registered thereon.

Also in accordance with my invention the coat ed wrappers are delivered adjacent the assembly station by a conveyor from adhesive-applying mechanism, and prior to their transfer to the registry table, the wrappers are moved transversely of the conveyor into proper alignment with the aforesaid mechanism which moves a wrapper panel into adhesive engagement with the corresponding boX Wall. 1

My invention further resides in the features of combination, construction and arrangement hereafter described and claimed. 7

For an understanding of my invention and for illustration of various modifications thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view with parts omitted of a box wrapping machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view on enlarged scale, in section, of the registry table shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

' Fig. 4 is a plan View, partly in section, of the registry table and of wrapper registry mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of Fig. 4 with parts in section.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation, with parts in section, of Fig. 7 and shows mechanism for moving a wrapper panel.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, 0 Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows a front elevation illustrating a pneumatic motor 1935, Serial No. 16,979

modification of panel moving mechanism shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of wrapper aligning mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a plan view, on enlarged scale, of the wrapper aligning mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of parts appearing in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14, in perspective, diagrammatically illustrates the control mechanism for the wrapping machine and the adhesive applying mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a front elevational view, generally similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a modification of the invention.

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of Fig. 1 with parts omitted.

Fig. 17 is a plan View of the modification of Figs. 15 and 16.

Fig. 18 is a detailed view showing in side elevation gripper mechanism appearing in Figs. 15 to 17.

Figs. 19 and 20 are plan views of further modifications.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of a further modification.

Figs. 22 and 23 are side elevational views of parts appearing in Fig. 21.

Referring to Fig. 1 the wrapping machine W is generally of the type shown in Patents Nos.

691,329 and 1,646,563, having a form block F adapted to carry a box and wrapper assembly along a path to cooperate in a known manner with various tools which apply the wrapper to the box. The reciprocation of the form block is controlled by the cam l on the upper end of shaft 2 and driven by clutch 3 from a motor 14'! (Fig. 14) suitably connected to the pulley 4.

Coated wrappers are delivered adjacent the wrapping machine W by the conveyor C, preferably of the suction type, which extends from a suitable adhesive applying mechanism such, for example, as disclosed in Rider Patent No. 1,857,- 260, Federwitz Patents 1,770,483, 1,772,344, Davis Patent 1,818,198, Stokes 1,701,317, Nitsch 1,684,- 741. The wrappers are fed intermittently, each in succession arriving at the position of the wrapper X Fig. 2. At this station each wrapper is moved transversely of the conveyor C by the aligning mechanism A whereupon the transfer device T moves the Wrapper to an assembly station between the operator and the form block of the wrapping machine. The mechanism AA automatically registers the wrapper XI upon the registry table which preferably tilts downwardly after it receives a wrapper to facilitate the registry of a box thereon by the operator. When the operator registers a boxer box blank upon the wrapper, mechanism, hereinafter described, wipes up the side panel S of the wrapper into engagement with the corresponding box wall to avoid any possibility of this panel of the wrapper engaging the form block structure as the operator moves the assembly beneath and then upward onto the form block. Having briefly outlined the various steps, the mechanism for effecting them is now described in detail.

Referring to Figs. 2, ll, 12 and 13, the wrapper aligning mechanism A comprises the gripper supporting slide 6 which is reciprocable in the guide I. The pins 8 extend from the slide through the slots 9 in the sides of the guide member I. The bracket IG suspended from the slide carries the shaft Ila to the opposite ends of which are secured the movable gripper jaws II. The lower stationary gripper jaws l2 are carried by the bracket. The beveled gear 53 on shaft Ila engages the beveled gear 54 carried by the shaft l5 which is slidably received by the hub of gear IE5 rotatable in the stationary bearing l l. The gear I6 is in mesh with the gear l8 fastened to the shaft Hi from which extends the lever 20.

Movement of the lever 25 to effect opening and closing of the gripper jaws is effected by the cam 2|, Fig. 1, which is mounted on shaft 22 driven in synchronism with the main cam l of the wrapping machine. Mechanism for transmitting the motion of cam 22! to lever 293 comprises the lever 23 having the cam follower 24, link 25, lever 26 3 and link (ll connected to the lower end of lever 20.

Movement of the gripper slide transversely of conveyor C is controlled by the cam 28, Fig. 1, the

mechanism for transmitting motion from the cam to the slide comprising the lever 29 which carries the cam follower Ell, link 31, lever 32 and link 33 connected between the upper end of lever 32 and the slide 6.

When a wrapper arrives at the position of wrapper X, Fig. 2, the cam 23 effects movement of the gripper slide to the right as viewed in Figs. 11 to 13. As the slide moves forward it also moves downwardly due to the shape of the slots 9 in the guide member 1, to depress the conveyor belt into the cutaway section or opening 34 in the top of the suction chamber. The stationary gripper jaws therefore move under the edge of the sheet, and when the edge strikes the shoulder 35, the wrapper is moved slightly to the right as viewed in these figures. As the gripper slide reaches this position, the cam 2| operates the lever 29 to eifect closure of the gripper jaws. The cam 28 thereupon effects the reverse movement of the slide it] to move the wrapper transversely of the conveyor C to a predetermined position into alignment with mechanism hereinafter described. The cam 2i thereupon operates the lever 20 to effect release of the wrapper by the grippers.

To adapt the mechanism for various sizes of the wrappers, the position of the gripper bracket It) may be adjusted with respect to the slide 6 by the knob lt g, Fig. 13. The stroke of the slide may be varied by shifting the point of connection between link 3! and arm 32, Fig. 11. The turnbuckle 321) provides for adjustment of the position of slide 8 at the ends of its stroke.

To facilitate this aligning operation, it is desirable to reduce or break the suction used to hold the wrapper fiat on the conveyor belt to prevent curling. By the time a wrapper has arrived at the aligning station, the adhesive has partially set and the tendency for the wrapper to curl has practically disappeared. As shown in Figs. 2 and 13, the butterfly valve 35a extending transversely of the suction chamber is operated concurrently with the grippers by the mechanism including lever 20, link 36 and beveled gears 3?. As the gripper jaws close to engage the edge of the sheet to be aligned, the valve 35a is closed to isolate that portion of the chamber below wrapper X from the source of suction. After the aligning movement, the gripper jaws are opened and concurrently the valve 35a is opened to restore the suction at the delivery end of the conveyor.

As this system is used for a wide range of wrapper sizes including wrappers oi large area, it is desirable not only to reduce or cut off the suction acting on the wrapper but also to provide a light air blast which in effect forms a cushion of air supporting the wrapper as it is pushed by the gripper mechanism towards the position of alignment.

The tubes 38 for providing the biast are disposed within the suction housing of conveyor C and are connected, as by the pipe 39, to the blower 40. A valve it disposed in. the air line permits the desired intensity of blast to be obtained. Particularly as the blast is relatively small, it need not be out 01f at any time in the operating cycle.

The registry table R is disposed adjacent the delivery end of the conveyor C. The top plate 12 of the table is grooved to receive the two endless belts 43 which comprise the transfer mechanism T for receiving wrappers from the conveyor C and moving them onto the registry table in front of the machine operator. As clearly appears in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 the registry table is hollow to provide a divided suction chamber M which at the receiv ing end of the transfer device is in communication with the interiors of the suction drums 45 whose peripheries closely approach the delivery end of the conveyor C. The shaft 36 to which the suction drums are secured is driven by the gearing 47, 48, 49 from the conveyor C. The belts 43 move concurrently with the conveyor C but at higher speed due to the ratio of the gears Lil, 39. The cord 5Q passing over the driving pulley St on shaft 39, and the pulley 52 on the idler shaft 53,

supports the panel S of the wrapper which prcjects beyond the edge of the registry table R nearest the form block F. As thus far described, for each cycle of operation of the machine, a wrapper is moved from the aligning station to the registry table and another wrapper is moved to the align-- ing station and aligned.

Preferably the wrapper upon the registry table is moved to a registered position as a preliminary to the disposition thereon of a box by the operator. The registering mechanism AA shown in Figs. 1. 4 and 5 is identical with the mechanism A used for moving the wrappers conversely to the conveyor C. Therefore, for brevity, its construction is not further specifically discussed. Like reference characters with suitable subscript have been used to identify the corresponding parts. In brief, after a wrapper has been delivered upon the stry table, the gripper slide Eda. is moved downwardly into the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5 by the cam 54. After the gripper jaws have been closed by operation of cam 55, the wrapper is moved to the left to a predetermined position. The gripper jaws are then opened by operation of cam 55. In both the wrapper registering mechanism and wrapping aligning mechanism, it is to be noted that the two grippers are substantially separated transversely of the wrapper edge they are to engage with the result that if the wrapper is askew, one or the other of the shoulders of the grippers will first engage the edge of the wrapper and swing it to proper position.

The adjustments for the registering mechanism to accommodate wrappers of different sizes are substantially the same as those for the aligning mechanism.

Preferably, during the reregistering operation the Wrapper is relieved of suction and subjected to a light air blast. To that end, the chamber id is connected by the pipes 56, 51 to the exhaust and intake, respectively, of the pump 53. When the grippers l I close to move the wrapper to registered position, the cam 59 secured to the shaft 22 engages and moves the rod (iii to the left as viewed in Fig. 11, so that the valve member 6! by-passes the suction pipe 57 to atmosphere and substan- I tially concurrently closes the orifice 62 of pipe 55 so that the air blast is transmitted to the suction chamber 44 of the registry table. The intensity of the blast may be adjusted by the valve 86.

The guides 65 for assisting the operator in registering a box upon the wrapper are suitably held or supported from the registry table and when the wrapper has been registered as above described, these guides define the proper position for the box. Since the wrapper has been automatically registered, the operator need only move a box against the guides to effect registered engagement with the wrapper.

As shown in Fig. 7, the guides 55 are each provided with a port 56 connected by pipe at to the pneumatic motor 68, Fig. 6, which is connected to the intake side of the suction pump 69. The piston it of the motor 68 is biased to the upper position shown in Fig. 6 by the spring lilb. With the ports 66 open, the pressure acting on the piston is insufiicient to effect its movement and the piston remains in the position shown in Fig. 6. When, however, the operator registers a box B on the wrapper, the box serves as a valve closing the ports 68 (Fig. '7) whereupon the suction is effective to move the piston Hi downwardly. The piston rod as shown in Fig. 6 bears against the rollers H which are carried by arms E2 of a pair of bell crank levers whose other arms are pivotally connected to reciprocable rods Hi. When the piston moves downwardly, the rods 14 move toward each other so that the abutments 75 carried by each of them engages a pin l6 extending from a plate I! pivotally mounted upon a stud it extending 1; rearwardly of the registry table. As these plates rotate, they lift the panel S of the wrapper, which extends beyond the edge of the table, and wipe it into engagement with the corresponding box wall as shown in Fig. 7. To accommodate boxes of different length, the wiper plates H are carried by slides re which are adjustable on the guide 8i! secured to the rear face of the registry table. The abutments 15 can be adjusted along the rods M simply by loosening the clamping screws 88a.

The plates as shown in Fig. 6 may be substantially triangular and the relation of the pins l6 and the action of abutment l5 thereon is such that the plate rotates from the position shown to an'angle of approximately 120 each time the piston iii is operated. These wiping plates are normally out of the path of movement of the wrapper so as to afford no obstruction to its movement by the conveyor belts 43 or the reregistering mechanism AA. They are also out of the path of movement of the .;bX and wrapper assembly when the operator moves it from the registry table onto the form block.

As an alternative, or preferably in addition to the wiping plates, there may be provided an air blast for moving the wrapper panel S. The pipe 85, provided with a series of apertures, is connected by a pipe 82 to the exhaust side of pump 69. When the piston Ill moves downwardly in response to registry of a box upon a wrapper the valve 83 included in the pipe 82 is moved to closed position so that the blast is effective to move the panel S into engagement with the box.

As more clearly shown in Fig. 17, subsequently described, the box guides are adjustable longitudinally and transversely of the registry table to suit different sizes of boxes.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9, the panel wiping plate instead of being a single member as in Fig. 6 comprises three pivoted plates 8% carried by and extending radially of the supporting member 85 from which the abutments 16a project. A spring 86 biases each of the plates to the position shown in Fig. 10. With this arrangement each wiping tip 8% yields as it presses a wrapper panel into engagement with the box wall. With this arrangement, the box guides 55 may be set so that the box may be flush with the edge of the table or extend slightly beyond.

Preferably after a wrapper has been delivered to and registered upon the table R, the table is automatically tilted towards the operator to facilitate registering of a box upon the wrapper. The table at or near the front edge is provided with lugs 81 for the pins 88 to which the depending levers 89 are pivoted. The lower ends of the levers 89 are pivoted at the ends of the arms 9i secured to shaft 9!. The cam 92 on shaft 22 engages the cam follower 93 at the end of arm 94, Fig. 1. The lever 94 is connected to lever 85 by the link 95a to effect the tilting movement of the table at proper time in the operation of the wrapping machine.

As shown in Fig. 2, the shaft 46 for driving the transfer conveyors 43 is driven through a universal joint 96 which also serves as a hinged rear mounting for the table. Similarly, the rear end of shaft 53 terminates in a universal joint supported from the fixed bracket iii extending from the frame of the machine.

The control system for the wrapping and gluing mechanisms is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 14. The motor 98 through belt 99, pulley libs, shaft iii! and gears I02, I03 and IM, continuously drives the gear I which is loose upon the shaft I06. The gear I05 also serves as a driving clutch member. The driven clutch member lfiiia is mounted upon the element IE2 which is secured to shaft N16. The driven clutch member is biased toward engagement with the driving clutch member by the spring )8. With the parts in the position shown, the extension ills of the driving clutch member is restrained by the latch llil so that the gear rotates without imparting motion to shaft Hi6. When the pedal MI is depressed by the operator, the mo tion is transmitted-through the linkage comprising arm H2, link H3, bell crank lever 5M, link H5, arm H6, shaft ill and lever M8 to withdraw the latch member l in out of the path of the extension [09 of the driven clutch member F so that spring we effects driving engagement between the two clutch members. The resultant rotation of shaft I06 effects feeding movement of a wrapper from the stack WS toward the adhesive applying roll H9. The wrapper-feeding mechanism, which is diagrammatically shown, may be of the type shown in the aforesaid Rider patent. Briefly, the cam I on shaft I06 through the lever I2I eifects reciprocation of the slide I22 to move the suction head I23 downwardly and into engagement with the wrapper. The return movement of the slide effects lifting of the top sheet of the stack for engagement with feeding rolls not shown which transfer it to and beyond the adhesive applying roll II9 onto the receiving end of the conveyor C. Upon the shaft I08 is also mounted the disc I24 carrying a cam I25 which upon engagement with the roll I26 at the lower end of the pivoted lever I2'I eifects engagement of the driven clutch member I28, slidably carried by the shaft E29, with the driven clutch member I30 which is loosely mounted on shaft I29 and driven by the gear I3la which is connected through suitable gearing to the shaft I 66. After the shaft I86 has rotated to a predetermined extent the cam I3! carried by disc I32 swings the lever I21 in the reverse direction to separate the clutch members I28, I] and thus stop the conveyor. The two cam discs I24 and I32 may be adjusted angularly with respect to one another to determine the extent of movement of conveyor for each revolution of shaft I66 and to ensure that the wrappers when they arrive at the position X, Fig. 2, are in the proper position with respect to the aligning mechanism.

Rotation of shaft I06 also effects movement of the cam I33 which controls the operation of the wrapping machine W. The cam is driven by any suitable mechanism, for example, by sprockets I34- and I35 connected by chain I36. When the cam I33 is of the construction shown, its shaft I37 makes one revolution for each revolution of shaft I06. When the high part of cam I33 engages and rocks the lever I38, the motion is transmitted to the lever I39 through the linkage I4Il, MI and bell crank lever I42 to withdraw the latch member I43 from engagement with the cam member I44 rotatable with shaft 2 ofthe wrapping machine. The spring I 45 is thereupon effective to move the driven clutch member 3 into driving engagement with the pulley 4 which serves as a driving clutch member. The motor I4. which is continuously running is, therefore, efiective to drive the main shaft 2 of the wrapping machine which controls the operation of the form block, the wrapper aligning mechanism, the reregister mechanism AA and the table tilting mechanism, all above described. When shaft 2 completes a revolution the cam I44 depresses the latch member I43 which, in the meantime, has been released by cam I33 of the gluing mechanism, to rock the bell crank lever I48, moving the bar I49 to the left, Fig. 14, to separate the clutch members 3, 4. So long as the operator holds the pedal I II in its depressed position the gluing mechanism intermittently coats wrappers with adhesive and feeds them adjacent to the assembly station and for each step of the conveyor, trips the wrapping machine to effect its cycle of operation which includes wrapping of a box, register of a wrapper upon the table R, tilting of the table, and alignment of the wrapper at the delivery end of the conveyor C. The operator may stop the wrapping machine or prevent it from being tripped by the gluing ma chine by moving handle I48a in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 14.

With the arrangement described, the operator need perform only the two simple operations of registering a box blank upon the wrapper registered upon the registry table and of transferring the assembly so formed to the form block structure of the wrapping machine. The number of boxes produced in the given time is, therefore, substantially increased as compared to present arrangements, and is substantially equal to the output of automatic machines whose use is not always justified, particularly when the box maker has short runs of different sizes of boxes.

Preferably, the wrapping machine V\ is of the type shown in copending application, Serial No. 17,018, filed April 18, 1935, of which it is characteristic that the form block structure does not pause in its downward travel while the corner lap tools I56 are turning in the corner laps of the side panels of the wrapper. With this modified construction, the time for each cycle of the wrapping machine may be substantially reduced but in practice the machine could not be operated continuously since there was not suflicient time for the operator to perform all of the necessary manual operations. With the arrangement above described, the advantages of non-stop corner lap operation can be utilized to advantage and the machine continuously operated, since there is suiiicient time in each cycle for the operator to perform the two simple manual operations of registering the box upon the register and of transferring the assembly to the form block.

In the modification shown in Figs. 15 to 18, elements having the same function as those in the modification previously described are identified by like reference characters. As in the previous modification, the wrappers upon the conveyor C are moved transversely so that the corner notches between the panel S of the wrapper and the bottom panel are in alignment with the edge of the registery table. In this modification the wrappers are transferred from the conveyor C to the registry table R by the transfer mechanism TI which consists of the slide I5I having at its forward end the gripper mechanism I52. The lower jaws I53 are stationary and secured to the slide. The movable jaws I54, as more clearly shown in Fig. 18, are connected to the arm I 55 to which is pivotally connected the rod I56 slidable in the pivoted block I51. The rod I56 and arm I55 form a toggle. The slide I5! guided by the member I58 is provided with a rack engaged by the gear I59 which is driven from cam I60 through the mechanism comprising the lever it 6, link I 62, rack 63 and gear I64. After a wrapper has been aligned upon the conveyor C, the slide I5I moves to the right as viewed in Fig. 15 so that the stationary gripper jaw I53 passes beneath the forward edge of the wrapper. Preferably the roll ltd at the delivery end of the conveyor is provided with a depression or cutout into which the flexible conveyor belt may be depressed to allow the lower gripper jaw to pass under the edge of the wrapper.- As the gripper approaches this position the upper end of the rod I56 is engaged by the stop I65 carried by the bracket I66 adjustably secured to the frame of the machine. The center pivot I51 of the toggle is thus swung to the right beyond the line of centers to close the grippers, the spring I88 holding the jaws closed. As the slide I 5i moves in the reverse direction the stop IE5 swings about its pivot I 69 without effect upon the grippers. Immediately before the wrapper approaches its proper position upon the registry table the stop III] engages the upper end of the rod I 53 to open the gripper jaw, the shoulders III of the stationary gripper members defining Iii) the registered position of the wrapper with respect to the box guides 65.

The mechanism for tilting the table and for wiping the panel B of the wrapper into engagement with the corresponding box wall is the same as in the first modification and its construction is not therefore repeated. As shown in Fig. 1'7 the box guides 55 are adjustably mounted upon the brackets H2 which are adjustably mounted upon the bar H3.

In this modification the table is not only tilted, but is also moved toward and from the form block to facilitate the movements of the operator in transferring the assemblies from the registry table to the form block. As shown in Fig. 7, the table is provided with blocks lit which are slidably received by the rods H5 which are secured at one end to the brackets Ilt hinged at ill to the stationary member H8. The table is connected by link I19 to.the arm I80 provided with a cam follower which engages the cam IBI on shaft 22. The cam is so shaped that after a wrapper has been delivered to the table it moves towards the form block structure and returns to its original position prior to delivery of the next wrapper thereto by the transfer slide TI. As indicated in Fig. 7 the registry table may be hollow and provided with a transparent top plate 42. A light I82 within the table is of assistance to the operator in obtaining rapid and accurate register.

Inthe modification shown in Fig. 19, the registry table Ra is formed by the center belt of conveyor C from the gluing machine. In this modification the wrapper conveyor consists of a wide center belt Ca and two narrow belts Co on either side thereof. At the station corresponding to the delivery station of the conveyor C of the prior modifications, the wrapper is moved transversely by the mechanism A. By the next step of the conveyor the aligned wrapper is carried by the center belt Cu to the assembly station in front of the operator.

The combined width of the three belts is great enough to accommodate the largest wrapper to be used. However, it is necessary in this as in the other modifications, not to extend a conveyor of such width between the operator and the form block since it would then be practically impossible for the operator toreach the form block. In all modifications, the wrapper is delivered in front of the operator on a surface which is sufficiently narrow to enable the operator conveniently to reach the form block in putting the assembles thereon.

The modification shown in Fig. is similar to the first modification described except that instead of using two narrow belts 43, a single wide belt Rb is used. In both the modifications of Figs. 19 and 20 it is of course understood that suitable supporting structure may be disposed beneath the belts and, if desired, the supporting surface may be the transparent upper wall of a housing such as shown in Fig. 7.

These modifications may also be provided with box guides such as guides 65 of the previous modifications, and may include side panel wiping mechanism similar to that shown in Figs. 6 and '7.

In the modification shown in Fig. 21, the wrappers instead of being disposed lengthwise on the conveyor C are disposed thereon in the more usual crosswise position. With this modification, the aligning mechanism A of previously described modifications is not necessary.

The wrappers in turn arrive at the position X on at substantially right angles thereto.

conveyor C from which they are transferred in succession on to the conveyor RC by the transfer device TT substantially similar to the transfer device TI shown in Figs. 15 and 17. When the conveyor C is at rest, the cam IIiIla on shaft 22a.

of the wrapping machine, Figs. 21 and 22, operates the gripper slide I5Ia to move a wrapper from conveyor C onto conveyor RC extending As fully appears in Fig. 22 the mechanism for transmitting the motion from the cam to the gripper slide I5Ia. includes the lever IBIa which carries a cam follower for cam IISIJa, the link IBM. which connects lever Ifila to the rack, IBM, and the gears Itda and I59a which engage respectively the rack Etta and the rack portion of the gripper slide 65m. I'IIla when the grippers are in position to clamp the edge of a wrapper upon the conveyor C, and the jaws are opened to release the wrapper after it has been delivered to the conveyor RC by the stop I69a.

As appears in Fig. 21, the wrapper at X2 is in alignment with the mechanism at the assembly station for wiping up the panel S, so that mech anism TT performs the functions of both the aligning and the transfer mechanisms of previously described modifications.

The conveyor RC for moving the wrappers from the position X2 into approximate register with the box guides 6'5 is, in this modification, driven from the shaft 22 of the wrapping machine. The driving mechanism as shown in Figs. 21 and 23 includes a cam I33 rotatable with the shaft 22. The cam groove receives the cam follower I84 on arm I85 which is connected by link I86 to arm I8! which carries the pawl I88. ratchet I89 driven by pawl IBBis connected to the gear I90 which is in mesh with gear I9I on the shaft of the conveyor driving roll I92. The ratio of gears I90 and I9I is suitably high so that a wrapper is moved from position X2 toXI in an interval which is short compared to the cycle of operation of the wrapping machine so as to afford sufficient time for the aligning mechanism AA to align a wrapper with the box guides 65, and for the operator to register a box on the wrapper and to transfer the assembly to the form block. After the conveyor has moved a wrapper from the position X2 to XI, the transfer mechanism TT, while both of the conveyors are stationary, moves a wrapper from conveyor C to conveyor RC as above described. Thus, for each complete cycle of operation of the wrapping machine and the gluing machine, a box and wrapper assembly is moved from the registry table onto the form block, a wrapper is moved fromthe position X2 in front of the operator and registered by the mechanism AA with respect to the box guides, a wrapper is moved by the transfer mechanism TT from conveyor C onto conveyor RC and another wrapper is moved to the position XI on conveyor C, and to the receiving end of the conveyor is delivered another freshly coated wrapper.

The mechanism for aligning the wrapper with respect to the box guides 65 is the same as that shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, or equivalent. At the {assembly station there is preferably provided mechanism similar to that shown in Figs. 6 to 8 for wiping the panel S of the wrapper into engagement with the corresponding box wall and this mechanism may, as described, be responsive to engagement of a box with the box guides. Specifically, as in the arrangement shown in Figs. 6 to 8, a box, as it is moved into register with a The gripper jaws are closed by the stop iii) wrapper below the box guides, serves as a valve to close ports in the box guides to effect operation of a pneumatic motor controlling the wiping tools.

What I claim is:

l. A wrapping machine comprising form block structure and sheet-applying mechanism associated therewith, structure for supporting a wrapper for registry with a box to form an assembly to be disposed on said form block structure, and means for intermittently tilting said supporting structure in timed relation to said mechanism to facilitate registry of a box on the wrapper disposed on said supporting structure.

2. A wrapping machine comprising form block structure and sheet-applying mechanism associated therewith, structure for supporting a wrapper for registry with a box to form an assembly to be disposed on said form block structure, and means for moving said structure toward and from said form block structure in timed relation to said mechanism to facilitate movement of an operator in placing the assembly on said form block structure.

3. A wrapping machine comprising form block structure and sheet-applying mechanism associated therewith, structure for supporting a wrapper for registry with a box to form an assembly to be disposed on said form block structure, and means for tilting said structure and moving it toward and away from said form block structure in timed relation to said mechanism to facilitate registry by an operator of a box upon a wrapper supported by said structure to form an assembly and transfer by the operator of the assembly to said form block structure.

4. In a box Wrapping system, structure for supporting a wrapper for registry of a box thereon, and means responsive to registry of the box upon the wrapper for effecting adhesive engagement of a panel of the wrapper with the corresponding box wall.

5. A wrapping machine having form block structure, structure for supporting a wrapper for registry of a box thereon to form an assembly to be moved onto said form block structure, means for efiecting adhesive engagement of the forward panel of the wrapper and the corresponding box wall, and means controlling operation of said first means responsive to registry of the box.

6. In a box wrapping system, box guide structure, means for registering a wrapper with said box guide structure, and means, responsive to positioning of a box for guidance by said structure onto a registered wrapper, to effect adhesive engagement of a panel of the wrapper with the corresponding wall of the box.

'7. In a box wrapping system, box guide structure at an assembly station, a conveyor for transporting Wrappers toward said assembly station, mechanism for moving the wrappers transversely of said conveyor into alignment with said guide structure, and means for moving the aligned wrappers in succession into register with said box guide structure.

8. A box wrapping machine comprising a form block, structure for supporting a wrapper for registry of a box thereon to form an assembly, mechanism operative to move a panel of a wrapper supported by said structure into adhesive engagement with the corresponding wall of a box registered thereon, conveying means for delivering wrappers to said supporting structure, and means for moving the wrappers transversely of their direction of feed by said conveying means into alignment with said mechanism.

9. A box wrapping machine comprising means for delivering wrappers in succession upon structure in front of an operator for registry of boxes thereon to form assemblies, mechanism operative to move a panel of a wrapper supported by said structure into adhesive engagement with the corresponding wall of a box registered thereon, and means for aligning the wrappers with said mechanism prior to their arrival in front of the operator.

10. In a box wrapping system, reciprocating means for engaging an individual, unattached Wrapper and moving it with respect to a supporting surface, and means for providing a slight air blast to provide a cushion of air between said surface and a wrapper during movement by said first means.

11. In a box wrapping system, permeable conveyor belt structure for transporting wrappers, a suction chamber beneath said belt structure, means for moving the wrappers with respect to the conveyor surface, and means operative during movement of a wrapper by said first means to produce a positive pressure in said suction chamber.

12. A box Wrapping machine comprising a form block and wrapper-applying mechanism, a

registry table adjacent said form block, box guide structure associated with said table, means operating in timed relation to said mechanism for delivering wrappers in succession into register with said box guide structure to facilitate manual registry of boxes upon wrappers to form assemblies to be placed on said form block, and means responsive to positioning of a box with respect to said guide structure for effecting adhesive engagement between a wrapper panel and a box wall.

13. A box wrapping machine comprising a form block and wrapper-applying mechanism, a registry table adjacent said form block, box guide structure associated with said table, and means operating in timed relation to said mechanism for delivering wrappers in succession into register with said box guide structure and means operating in timed relation to said mechanism for tilting said table to facilitate registry of the boxes upon the wrappers.

1a. A box wrapping machine comprising a form block and wrapper-appiying mechanism, a registry table adjacent said form block, box guide structure associated with said table, and means, operating in timed relation to said mechanism, for delivering wrappers in succession into register with said box guide structure, means operating in timed relation to said mechanism for tilting the table after each delivery of a wrapper thereon, and means responsive to positioning of a box against said guide structure for efiecting adhesive engagement of a panel of a wrapper with the corresponding box Wall.

15. A box wrapping machine having a form block and associated wrapper-applying mechanism, a registry table adjacent said form block, a conveyor for delivering wrappers adjacent said table, conveyor belt structure for transferring boxes from said conveyor to said table, box guide structure associated with said table, and mechanism for registering the transferred wrappers with said box guide structure.

16. A box wrapping machine having a form block and associated wrapper-applying mechanism, a registry table adjacent said form block, a

conveyor for delivering wrappers adjacent said table, and conveyor belt structure for transferring the wrappers in succession from said conveyor to said registry table, and driven at a speed higher than the speed of said conveyor.

1'7. A box wrapping machine having a form block and associated wrapper-applying mechae nism, a registry table adjacent said form block, a conveyor for delivering wrappers adjacent said table, conveyor belt structure for transferring the wrappers in succession from said conveyor to said registry table and driven at a speed higher than the speed of said conveyor, and means operative to move the wrappers transversely of said conveyor into alignment with said conveyor belt structure.

18. A box wrapping machine having a form block and associated wrapper-applying mechanism, a registry table adjacent said form block, a box guide structure associated therewith, conveyor belt structure operating in timed relation to said mechanism for transporting wrappers to said table, and reciprocating structure operable while said conveyor belt structure is at rest for registering the wrappers on said table.

19. In a box wrapping system, a registry table, means for delivering awrapper to said table with a panel extending beyond an edge of the table, rotatable structure out of the path of said panel during delivery by said means, and mechanism responsive to movement of a box into register with the wrapper for moving said structure to effect engagement of said panel with the conv responding box wall.

20. In a box wrapping system, a wrapping ma chine having a form block, a registry table adjacent said form block adapted tosupport a. wrapper having a panel extending beyond an edge of said table, and mechanism operative while the wrapper is on said table to wipe said panel into engagement with a box registered on the wrapper by the wrapping-machine operator.

21. In a box wrapping system, a wrapping machine having a form block, a registry table adjacent said form block adapted to support a wrapper having a panel extending beyond an edge of said table, box guide structure having ports therein, and pneumatic means controlled by said ports for moving said panel into engagement with a box registered on the wrapper.

22. In a box wrapping system, a wrapping machine having a form block, a registry table adjacent said form block adapted to support a wrapper having a panel extending beyond an edge of said table, box guide structure having ports therein, and means, controlled by said ports, providing a blast for moving said panel into engagement with a box registered on the wrapper.

23. In a box wrapping system, a wrapping machine having a form block, a registry table adjacent said form block adapted to support a wrapper having a panel extending beyond an edge of said table, box guide structure having ports therein, structure for wiping said panel into engagement with a box registered on the wrapper, and pneumatic means controlled by said ports for operating said structure.

2a. A box wrapping system comprising a box wrapping machine and mechanism for conveying wrappers toward said wrapping machine, means for automatically interrupting operation of said machine at the end of its cycle, and mechanism operated in timed relation to said conveying mechanism for automatically tripping said interrupting means.

25. A box wrapping system comprising a box wrapping machine, means for interrupting operation of said machine at the end of its cycle, a conveyor for transporting wrappers toward said wrapping machine, means for coating wrappers and delivering them to said conveyor, and means, normally continuously operated, effective periodically to trip said interrupting means and to ward said wrapping machine, means for coating and delivering wrappers to said conveyor, and means, normally continuously operated, for efiecting intermittent operation of said conveyor and of said wrapper coating and delivery means, and for tripping said interrupting means once for each operation of said conveyor and said wrapper coating and delivery means.

27. Abox wrapping system comprising a boxwrapping machine having a one-time clutch, mechanism for coating and conveying wrappers toward said box-wrapping machine, means controlled by said coating and conveying mechanism periodically to trip said clutch, and manual control means for starting said mechanism.

28. A box wrapping system comprising a boxwrapping machine having a one-time clutch, mechanism for coating and conveying wrappers toward said box-wrapping machine, means controlled by said coating and conveying mechanism. periodically to trip said one-time clutch, manual control means for starting said mechanism, and manual control means for rendering said first means inoperative.

29. A box wrapping system comprising a wrapping machine having a form block, a registry table adjacent said form block, an intermittently operated conveyor for transporting wrappers toward said wrapping machine, and mechanism operative while said conveyor is at rest to transfer wrappers from said conveyor onto said registry table.

30. A box wrapping system comprising a wrapping machine having a form block, a registry table adjacent said form block, an intermittently operated conveyor for transporting wrappers toward said wrapping machine, means operative while said conveyor is at rest to align a wrapper with said registry table, and mechanism operative while said conveyor is at rest to transfer the aligned wrapper from said conveyor onto said registry table.

31. A box wrapping system comprising a wrapping machine having a form block, a conveyor for transporting wrappers from adhesive applying mechanism toward said wrapping machine, an assembly station adjacent said form block at which the wrapping-machine operator registers boxes with wrappers, a conveyor driven by said wrapping machine for delivering wrappers to said assembly station, and transfer means operated by said wrapping machine to transfer wrappers from said first conveyor to said second conveyor.

32. A box wrapping system comprising a wrapping mchine having a form, block, an intermittently operated conveyor for transporting wrappers from adhesive applying mechanism toward said wrapping machine, a conveyor operable while said first conveyor is at rest to transport wrappers to an assembly station adjacent said form block, and transfer means operable while .both of said conveyors are at rest to transfer wrappers from said first conveyor to said second conveyor.

33. A box wrapping system comprising a wrapping machine having a form block, box guide structue adjacent said form block, conveyor neans driven by said wrapping machine for delivering Wrappers in substantial register with said box guide structure, and mechanism driven by said wrapping machine for accurately registering the delivered wrappers with said box guide structure by eifecting their movement relative to said conveyor means.

3 A box-wrapping machine comprising a form-block and wrapper-applying mechanism operating in timed relation with respect to each other, a box and wrapper assembly station and said form-block structure within reach of an operator, means operating in timed relation to said wrapping machine for delivering wrappers in succession to said assembly station, for manual registry thereat of boxes upon Wrappers to form assemblies to be fed to said form-block structure, and means responsive to each registration of a box upon a wrapper for effecting attachment of a Wrapper panel to a wall of the associated box.

A box-wrapping machine comprising formblock and wrapper-applying mechanism operating in timed relation with respect to each other, a registry table and said form-block structure within reach of an operator, means operating in timed relation to said wrapping machine for delivering wrappers in succession to said table for manual registry of boxes with wrappers on said table to form assemblies to be fed to said formblock, and means responsive to registration of a box upon a wrapper upon said table for effecting attachment between a panel of the wrapper and a wall of the associated box.

36. A box-wrapping machine comprising a form-block and wrapper-applying mechanism operating in timed relation with respect to each other, a registry table and said form-block within reach of an operator, an intermittently operated conveyor transporting wrappers toward said table, and mechanism transferring the wrappers in succession from said conveyor to said table.

3'7. The combination with a box-wrapping machine comprising formblocl; structure, wrapperapplying mechanism operating in timed relation therewith, and a one-time clutch controlling operation of said form-block structure and said wrapper-applying mechanism, of mechanism for conveying wrappers toward said wrapping machine, a one-time clutch controlling said conveying mechanism, mechanism operated in timed relation with respect to said conveying mechanism for tripping said first-named one-time clutch, and manual means controlling said second-named one-time clutch.

38. A box-Wrapping machine having a formblock, a box and wrapper assembly station and said form-block within reach of an operator, box guide structure, having ports therein, disposed at said assembly station, and pneumatic means controlled by said ports for moving a panel of a wrapper at said station into attachment with a wall of a box registered on said wrapper.

JOHN S. STOKES. 

